Remote control system



June 14, 1932. J, C, HELD l 1,863,089'

REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Dec. 28, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 14, 1932. J. c, FlELD 1,863,089

REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM 'Filed Dec. 28, 1927 s snees-sheetY 2 1 /NVNTUH JUMP/1 Tf/HD J-llne 14, 1932 J. c. FIELD REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Dec. 2a, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 VIL w Sink Mpx ATTH/VE Y Patented June 14, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH C'. FIELD, OF MAPLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO BELL TELEPHONE LABO- RATORIES, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK REMOTE coN'rnor. 'sYs'rEu Application filed December 28, 192'?. Serial No. 243,031.

'Ilhis inventiony relates to controlling and supervisory systems and more particularly to .such systems in which switches or other apparatus may be remotely controlled and 5 supervised. 'y

An object of the invention is to simplify and reduce the' mechanical ope-rations at a remote station and perform the various controlling operations in a remote control sys- 1'0 tem in a rapid and accurate manner and with a minimum number of operating elements. In accordance with this invention power tions may be controlled from a central sta- 15 tion by a number of code keys and the position of the switches indicated at a central station by means of lamps. More specifically the power switches at an outlying station are controlled by the selective operations of various sets of relays and a rotary distributor.

In one. embodiment of the invention there is provided at the' substation la set of relays and a rotary distributor common to not more' than twenty power switches. The power switches are associated in groups of four and each group Y of switches is controlled by a set of relays in which two relays areassociated with each switch for causing the 3o the central station through the operating of relays common to the switches at the substation and other Iapparatus at the control station. The operation of any switch at the substation either through the controlling means at the central station or by conditions on the power line, establishes circuit connections through the'group relays of the switch and certain relays in the common group, to send a series of impulses determined by the segments on the distributor to the central station where the position of the switchlis indicated by a lamp.

45 A feature of the invention relates tothe control of-the sets of relays associated with each switch by means of a single relay which determines the sequence in which the checking signals from the group of switches mayv "to be` transmitted to the central station, and

switches at a plurality of outlying substa,-

position ofthe switch to be transmitted toI the disconnection of the' selectors from the determines the impulse code for each switch in a particular group. f

Another feature relates to the checking of the positions of the power switchesl to insure correct indication at the central station. In 55 accordance with this feature a relay is provided for. each group of switches and is controlled from the central station' over a separate selector circuit to check the positions of the switches automatically in sequence co,

and requires no further operation by the attendant at the central station other than starting the preliminary operation of the checking selector at the substation. Furthermore, the single selector circuit may be eml ployed for a plurality of groups of switches at a particular substation provided there is a check; control relay associated with each group of switches.

Another feature of the invention relates to 10 the disconnection of all the selectors at all the remote stations from the'lineconductrs to the central station when any of the remote stations are ready to send answer-back signals to the central station. This is accom- 7 5 plished by a single relay at each of the remote line when an answer-back signal is being sent to the central station provides the advantage of duplicating the code combination for the answer-back signals.

Thesefand other features of the invention will be clearly understood from the following'detailed description and the accompanying drawings. v

Fig 1 illustrates diagrammatic'ally the coni trol and indicating equipment at a central.

ing the connection of the segments for transmitting di'erent sets of impulses for five groups of switches at a single substation.

'Referring to the drawings, central station A, in Fig. 1 is connected to a plurality of lremote stations, such as substations B, C and D shown in Figs. 2 and 3, by line conductors 5, 6 and 7. At each substation are a number of power switches and the controlling apparatus fory changing the position of the switches and completing circuit conditions to the central station for indicating the position of the switches. For the purpose of this in-l vention the apparatus at substation' B will.

be described, it being understood that all the substations connected to the central station over line conductors 5, 6 and 7 contain similar' equipment.v

A distributor 8 consisting of a number of insulated segments around the periphery of its stationary faceplate, a revolving arm 9 of the distributor connected to a motor 10 by a shaft, and a reductin gear-arrangement 10a, comprise the mechanical equipment for producing code impulse combinations controlled by a large number lof switches at substation B. Associated with the distributor 8 are the common control relays 11 to 16 inclusive for controlling the different operations for all the switches at the substation. 'Four power' switches 17, 18,- 19 and 2() are shownvat substation B which are controlled and su ervised from the control station. A. While our switches have beenv shown itis understood that a large number of switches may be supervlsed at a particular substation. The capac- 'ity of the system/ in accordance with this inv ention is controlled by the different code combinations which may be devised for the segments on the distributor 8. The distributor andthe control relays shown at substation B are common to the station for not more than twenty switches.

1`en relays comprisin relay group No. 1 are associated with t e' group. of four switches, namely power switches 17 to 20 inclusive, in which a pair of relays 21 and 22 are individual to power switch 17, relays 21a and 22a are individual to power switch 18,

relays 216 and 226 are individual to power switch 19 and relays 210 and 22o are individual to power switch 20. A group control relay 23 in relay group 1 determines the sequence in which the indication of the position of the switches may be sent in to the central station during the checking operation and also determines the code setting for each group of switches. Relays 25, 26, 27 and 28 are respectively connected to the power switches 17, 18, 19 and 20 and are energized by a pair of selectors 29 and 30, selector 29 controllingrelays 25 and 26, and selector 30 controlling the operation of relays 27 and 28. These selectors are preferably of the type disclosed in my Patent 11,343,256 issued June 15, 1920, and consfst essentially of an electromagnet energized by pulses of alternating'current to ad- .vance a step-by-step element or wheel 31, to

a definite position according to the setting of the code of impulses determined for the selector. Each selector is operated by a different set of impulses so that a large number of selectors may be controlled from the central station over an individual line. Similarly ten relays 221 to 2210, 222 to 2220, 223 and 224 comprising relay group No. 2, are connected to switch group No. 2 to the common control relay group 12 to 16 and the distributor 8.

At central station A shown in Fig. 1 is located the controlling and supervising equipment `for the power switches at any number of substations connected to the line. This equipment comprises a series of control relays shown at the top of Fig. 1 in which re- `lays 32 and 33 provide means for connecting a source of current to the line conductors 5 and 6 for operating the selectors located at the various substations. Relays 34 to 39 inclusive perform various operations to be hereinafter described. These control relays are common to any number of switches at the particular substation and are also common to al number of substations connected to the line extending 4from central station A. Certain of the control relays at the central station are operated by impulse senders, such as keys 40 and 41, contained in a cabinet on the dispatchers deskL at the control station. These keys are ,of the general type disclosed in my Patent\1,306,054 issued June 10, 1919, and are adapted to transmit series of impulses to operate the selectors at the substations. In accordance with this invention two impulse senders or keys are provided for each switch at the substations. For instance, if power switch 17 at substation B is in open position the operatlon of key 4() will operate the switch to its closed position through selector 29 and auxiliary relay 25, while key 41 controls the opening 01Ev switch 17 through the same selector and aux- 1l1ary relay. Only eight keys are shown in the drawings for operating a group offour switches-located at substation B, it being understood that additional keys, lamps and a `selector are to be added to the central station equipinent for each group of fourv switches at a substation.

The positions of the switches at substation B are indicated at the central station by means of lamps 42 and 43 which are illuminated by the operation of a polarized relay 44 which is energized by the advancement of selector 45 to any one` of the contacts 46 to 49 inclusive. The lamps indcate to the dispatcher the position of the switches at substation B, the green lamp 42 represent- 'ing that switch 17 is in an open position and red lamp 43 when lighted indicatfng that the and selectors are required for each set of four switches to be supervised. When any switch at the substation changes position an alarm is given at the central station to'call the dispatchers attention to the changed con-l dition. This is accomplished by a bell 50` which rings until the circuit is broken by the `dispatcher operating key 51.

It is often necessary to ascertain whether the equipment for performing the various operations of' controlling the position of the switches `and indicating their position is opera-ting correctly andeli'iciently so that if any trouble exists it may be remedied as soon as possible. This is accomplished in accordance with this invention b a checking circuit in which a minimum o apparatus is employed for performing the checking operation. A single impulse sender or key 40a at central 'station A is provided to operate a selector 52 at substation B, to advance the step-by-step element 53 to one of thecontacts on the selector. Theadvancement of the ele-I ment 53 to contact 54 operates checking relay 24 in relay group No.. l, to automatically start the sending of the four setsof code impulses'to the central station in lseque`nce,to indicate the actualv position of the four switches at substation B without operating the'switches. If there is more than one relayv group of four switches, the'circuit may be arranged so that each checking relay 24 of a rela-y roup is connected to one of the other contagts of selector 52 as shown in Figs.

. 2 and 2A.

Sincel the common control relays and relays in relay group No. 1 at substation B peri form numerous functions it is believed a better understanding of vthe invention will be had if these functions are described in their sequence of operation. The following description of the operation of the system will therefore be described under the following steps. f

1.- Dispatcher changing position of switch at substation.

2. Answer-back signal from substation to central station.

3. Automatic checking of position of switches.

1. Dispatcher changing position of switch at substation The operation of the system is as follows. The power switch 17 at substation B is in an open position as shown and the green lamp 42 at control station A is lighted toindicate this condition. Suppose it is desired to opcrate` power switch 17 to its closed position. i

This is accomplished by the attendant at control station A rotating impulse s'ender or key 40, in a counter-clockwise ldirection as indicated bythe arrow whereupon the key is released to send a series of impulses over thel line to operate selector 29 at substation B. When the impulse key"40 begins to rotate the lower contact engages the disc and closes a circuit for the operation-of control relay 35. This circuit may be traced from one side of battery 55, conductor 56, winding of relay 35, conductors 57 and 58, disc and lower `contact of key 40, conductor 59, back Contact and armature of relay 36, conductor 60 to the other side of battery 55. When relay 35 operates it closes a circuit for the opv eration of line relay 33. This circuit may be traced from battery 55, conductor 56, closed left-hand armature and contact of relay 35,

lconductor 61,'winding of line relay 33, normally closed back contact and armature of relay 36, conductor 60 to battery 55. Relay 33 in operatin connects the main battery`62 atlcentral statlon A to the line conductors 5 and 6 over the upper armature and front contact of relay 33 and the front contact and righthand armature of operated relay 35 and conductor 72. The selectors 29, 30 and 52 at substation B and all the selectors at other substations connected to line conductors 5 lll@ and 6 are ready to receive impulses for advancing the stepby-stepfelements of the respective selectors to a definite position. Assuming the code of impulses sent over the line by key 40 corresponds to the code setting ated with the main battery source 62. This circuit may be traced' from battery 55, conductors 56 and 64, winding of reversing relay 32, conductor 65, normally closed armaf ture and back contact of relay 37 conductor ,side of battery 62, upper back contact and armature of relay 32, upper armature and front contact of relay 33, line conductor 5, conductors 68 and 69, winding of electromagnet of selector 29, conductor 70, normally.

closed right-hand armature and contact of line relay l1, normally closed right-hand armature and back contact of relay '12, conductor 71, line conductor 6, conductor 72, righthand armature and front contact of relay 35, conductor 73, and the lower armature and back contact of relay 32 to battery 62.

The step-by-step element 31 of selector 29 is only advanced whenycurrent-pulses of opposite polarity are sent over the line conductors. Th refore, the. energization and deenergization of reversing relay 32 causes current of opposite polarity to be transmitted to the selector by reversing the connections to the main battery 62. This is accomplished by sending a positive pulse over the line when relay 32 is not operated and then send` ing a negative pulse when the armatures of relay 32 are operated to the two front contacts. When the desired number of ulses have been sent to advance the arm 8 on selector element 31 to `terminal 63 a circuit is establishedfor the operation of auxiliary relay 25. This circuit may be traced from battery 74, conductors 75 and 76, spring 77, element 31, arm 78, terminal 63, conductor 79, normally closed left-hand spring and 'contact of relay 25, conductor 80, right-hand winding of relay 25, conductors 81, 82 and 83 to battery 74. When the right-hand winding of relay 25 is energized the pivoted armature is drawn toward the right-hand pole :tace of relay 25 and is mechanically locked in this position. This results in the arm 84 on the armature breaking the circuit estab-' lished Jfor the operation of the relay and completing a circuit for the operation of sole- .noid 85 through the middle contact and spring of relay 25. This circuit may be traced from battery 74, conductors 75 and 76, operated middle spring and contact'of relay 25, conductor 86, winding of solenoid 85. and conductors 81, 82 and 83 to battery. Then the solenoid 85 is energized itdraws up the armature of the switch 17 to close the power circuit through the bus bar terminals 87 and 88 and contact arm 89 of switch 17. U on the complete revolution of key 40 at t e central station, the lower spring will be disengaged from the disc thereby opening the c1rcuit of control relay 35 and line relayj'33 and releasing selector 29 which will be returned to normal position as will be clear from Patent 1,343,256 mentioned above. In order to prevent the possibility of the controlrelay 12 at substation B operating when a call is being made from the central station A, due to the capacity between the line conductors 5, 6 and 7, the circuit is so arranged that when v`a key is operated at the central station, thereby operating line relay 33, control relay 35, a short circuit is established between line conductors 6 and 7 by the lower front contact of line rela 33. This short circuit between line conc uctors 6 and 7 prevents the momentary operation of the control relay 12 at substation B through the capacity to line conductor 7 due to the reversal of the selector impulse on the line conductors 5 and 6.

2. Answer-back signal from substation to central statz'on y As the armature of switch 17 moves upward through the winding of the solenoid 85 it opens the battery circuit for control relay 21 through the contact 90 and spring 91 which is carried by the extension 92 on the armature. of switch 17. The momentary opening of the battery circuit through the lower conta t and spring of switch 17 causes control re ay 21 which is normally energized to deenergize. The holding circuit for control relay 21 may be traced from battery 74, conductor 7 5, normally closed armature and contact of relay 24, conductor 93, winding of relay 21, right hand armature and contact of relay 21, normally closed inner left back Contact and inner left armature of associated relay 22, conductor 94, contact 90, spring 91, conductors 81, 82 and 83 to battery 74. Relay 21 therefore deenergizes upon the opening of the contact 90 and the spring 91, and inl releasing causes group control relay 23 to be energized.

The energizing circuit for this relay may be traced from battery 74, conductor 75, norl mally closed armature and contact of relay i 150, normally closed back contact and inner right hand armature of relay 223 in Fig. 2A, conductor 151, normally closed back contact and inner right hand armature of relay 23,

Fig. 2, conductor 96, contact and spring 97,

conductor 98 to battery 74. When control relay 23 operates it draws up the left and right hand armatures and forms a locking circuitfor itself through the front winding and inner right front contact and inner right hand armature. The source of current, such as battery 7 4, is disconnected from other control relays, such as relay 223, in relay group No. 2 at substation B through the left contact and inner right hand armature of relay 23 in relay group #l and conductor 151, to prevent the transmission of impulses from all other groups of switches at substation B to the central station A until the series of iinpulses determined for power switch 17 have 15 and lower armature of rela ductor 7, normally closed ,le t

rotary ldistributor 8 and thereby initiate the,

sending of the individual codes of impulses for the switches in group No. 1.l At the same time a circuit is completedfrom line conductor 6 to line conductor 7 and control relay l 10 \12 is operated if the line is not being used by any other substation. Relay 12 is energized over acircuit from battery 62 at 'control station A, conductor 115, Winding of control relay36, normally closed lower back contact 33, line con-4 and 'armature o line disconnect relay 11, winding of cont ol relay 12, variable resistance 102, conductor 101, outer left contact and outer left hand armature of operated relay 23, conductor 100, conductor 71, line conductor 6, conductor 72, normally closed right hand armature and back contact of relay 35, conductor 116 to battery 62. Control relay 12 in operating opens line conductor 6 tothe other substations connected to central station .A over 'its operated-right hand armature and frontcontact to disconnect all the' selectors at other subst-ations from the line and thereb (prevent interference with the answer-bac signal being sent from substation B. This relay also disconnects the selectors at substation B from the line. Where there are a large number of selectors connected to the line the advantage of this arrangement is that the code settings may be duplicated without interierence with the operation, of the system. Control relay 12 also supplies battery to relay 22 associated with switch 17 through its operated right hand armature and front contact. Upon the com letion of the energizing circuit for contro relay 12, associate relay 22 will operate over a circuit which may bel-traced from battery 74, conductor 75, normally closed armature and contact of relay '24, conductor 93, inner left hand armature and contact of deenergized rela 21, rear Y"winding of relay 22, normally c osed back -,contact and right hand armature of relay 22,

the normally closed back contacts and outer `right hand armatures of relays 22a, 226, and 22a, outer `front contact and outer rlght hand armatureeof operated control relay 23, conductor 100, right hand armature and front 5 contact of operated control relay 12, conductor 105 to battery 74. Relay 22 in-o eratin also locks up through its front win ing an rightfront contact and armature and cuts oli' battery to the other 22 type relays through its open right back contact. When relay 22 draws up its outer left-.hand armature it. forms an energizing circuit for relay 21. This circuit may be traced from battery 74, conductor 83, conduttor 107, 'outer left front contact and outer left-hand armaturelof ophand contact erated relay 22, winding of relay 21, conductor 93, normally closed contact and armai ture of relay 24, conductor 75 to battery 74.

As previously stated line relay 12 is operated over a circuit including the windin of relay 36. This latter relay is also energlzed to close a circuit through its armature and front contact to operate relay 34. The operating circuit of relay 34 may be' traced from battery 55, conductor 56, winding of relay 34 conductor 117, front contact and armature of operating relay 36, conductor 60 to battery 55.

The operation of relay 34 causes control relay 37 and battery 62 to be connected across line conductors 5' and 6 through its rightyhand armature and contact. This circuit may be tracedffromconductor 5,4 conductor 118, winding of relay 37, conductor 119, righthand armature and contact of operated relay 34, conductor 115, battery 62, conductor 116, normally closed right back contact and armature of relay 35, conductor 72 and lineconductor 6. i

The operation of relay 22 also prepares a 'circuit for sending the impulses tolthe central station to cause reversing relay 32 to apply current pulses of opposite polarity to the selector 45 at the central station. Wheth er the code of impulses sent in to the central station is for a closed or open indication of the switch is determined by the position of the spring 91 with respect to the contacts 90 and 120, to complete the circuit through the ront or back contact of pulsing relay 13 which in turn determines whether the polarized relay 44 at central station A. receives negative or ,positive battery on the spring 130, to light the green or red lamp. Since the spring 91 associated with power switch 17 is in engagement with the contact A120 due to the switch 17 now being in the closed position as previously described it will be seen that the energizing circuit for relay 37 connected across line conductors 5 and 6 is only completed through the front contact of pulsing relay 13. This pulsing circuit may be traced from conductor 83, conductor 82, spring 91, contact 120, conductor 106, middle left-hand armature andmiddle left front contact of relay 22, conductor 123, front contact and armature of pulsing relay 13, resistance 124, conductor 68, line conductor 5, relay 37, conductor 119, right-hand contact and arma- Iture ofl operated relay 34, battery62, con-l vtn the central oilice to indicate the change' in position of switch 17 will now be described.

The motor 10 is set in operation by the closing ofthe left-hand contact and armature of 4relay l2. This circuit may be traced from one side of battery' 74, conductor 108, lefthand Contact and armature of operating relay 12, conductor 109, winding of motor 10 .to the other side of battery 74. The motor rotates shaft 110 which enters a reduction gear casing 10a to cause the shaft 111 extending to the arm 9 of the distributor 8 to revolve at a reduced speed. When'the arm 9 starts rotating over the segments 'of the distributor a series of impulses is transmitted to the impulse relay 13. This is accomplished by the conducting brush 112 being drawnover the insulated segments and the continuous conducting ring 113 on the distributor 8.

The insulated spaced segments on the distributor 8 are strapped as shown in the drawings to produce various sets of code impulses which may be transmitted to the central ofice. The single distributor at substation B may be arranged to send code impulses for five groups of four switches each. For instance, the four switches 17 to 20 inclusive in switch group No. 1 associated with relay group No. 1 may have the code setting.

7--5-5. The switches in group No. 2 associated with relay grou No. 2 may have the code setting '7-3- Similarly, other groups of four switches at substation B, may have code settings as follows:

Group No. 3 9-3-5 Group No. 4 7-7-3 Group No. 5 5-7-5 Assuming the distributor 8 is started by common control relay 12 which is energized by the operation of group control relay 23, then the brushv 112 passes over the rst 4dead segments until suiiicient speed is obtained. The third segment starts the series of impulses since this segment is connected to the negative side of battery 74 and due to the brush 112 being in contact with continuous ring 113, pulsing relay 13 is energized'over conductors 114 and 108. As the brush 112 continues to travel over segments 4 to 10 inclusive, pulsing relay 13 is deenergized and energized successively to complete the first setbf seven impulses since relay 13 isenergized four times and deenergized three times. Pulsing relay 13 is held energized while the brush 112 is passing over segments' 11 to 15 inclusive since these segments are strapped together and connected to negative battery. As the brush 112 passes over segments 16 to 20 inclusive pulsing relay 13 is deener zed three times and energized twice to sen the second set of impulses, namely 5, to the central station. This is accomplished by pulsing relay 13 being deenergized on the sixteenth segment, energized on the seventeenth segment, due to the strapping of this segment to the negative side of battery 74, deenergized on the eighteenth segment, enerized on'the nineteenth segment over conuctor 152, normally closed contact and outer righthand arma'te'of relay 223 in Fig. 2A, conductors 153, 154 in Fig. 2A and conductors 107, 83 in Fig. 2 to battery 74, and again de# energized on the twentieth segment. Since segments 21 to 24 inclusive are not connected to battery 74, pulsing relay 13 will remain 4 deenergized while the brush 112 is passing over these segments. Likewise, pulsing relay 13 will not be energized when the brush 112 passes over segment 25 on the distributor, dueto this segment being connected to conductor 155 which is open at the outer righthand front contact and armature of relay 223 in Fig. 2A. Segment 26 is not connected to battery 74, therefore pulsing relay 13 will remain deenergized while the brush 112 is passing over this segment. The final set of impulses are sent to the central station when the brush 112 passes over the segments 27 to 31 inclusive since alternate segments are connected to thenegative side of battery 74,

therefore pulsing relay 13 will be energized previously described. ,Since segments 32 to 38 are connected to battery 74 over conductor 98 and conductors 135, 136 and 137 over the normally closed contacts of common control relays 14 to 16 inclusive, relay 13 remains energized until its circuit is broken by the deenergization-of group control relay 23. y

Now, if a switch in group No. 2 is operated by the attendant at the central station A, in a manner similar to that described in connection with the operation of switch 17 in switch group No. 1 or changes position due to conditions on the line, the answer-back signal will be transmitted to central station A the same as a'switch in switch group No. l. However, in this instance relay group N o. 2

will function instead of relay group No. l.

.to a closed position the following operations occur. The opening of the contacts at the switch deenergizes relay 221 by disconnecting the battery source 74 overa circuit from the negative side of battery 74, conductors 83, 107, 154, 153, movable arm 156, contact 157 conductor 158, inner lefthan'd armature and back Contact of relay 222, righthand contact and armature of energized relay 221, conductor 159, normally closed contact and armature of relay 224, conductors 160 and 75 to battery 74. Relay 221 in releasing closes a circuit for the operation of roup control relay 223 through its outer le and armature and contact, conductor 161, rear winding of relay 223, inner righthand armature and back contact of relay 223, conductor 151, inner righthand armature and back dntact of relayv 23, cona circuit for the operation of switch control relay 222 which in operating cuts off battery t0 the other switch control relays 222a, 2226, and 2220 over its righthand armature and back contact. Relay 223 therefore controls the selection of the particular code of impulses to be sent to the central station through disconnecting the switch control relays of other switches.

The change of the series of impulses to be sent to the central station will now be described since as previously stated the particular set of impulses for. group No. 2 is 7- 3-7. Assuming the required operation ofthe commOn control relay 12 in Fig. 2 over' a circuit controlled by group control relay 223 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the operation of relay 23 in relay group No. 1, .then the distributor brush 112 is rotated to pass over the segments of the distributor 8. The first set of im ulses for switch group No. 2, namely 7, will' e the same as for switch group No. 1, since there is n'o chan e in this set. The second set,

namely 3, or group No. 2 is dilferent from f the second set of group N051 which is 5. This difference isy brought about bythe operation of group control 'relay 223 which breaks the connection at its outer righthand armature and back contact and closes a circuit between this armature and the outer front contact. Since conductor 152 connected to the ninef teenth segment of the distributor is disconnected fl om the negative battery 74 over the opened armature and back contact of relay 223, the nineteenth segment is the same as the five succeeding segments. Therefore only three impulses will be sent to the central stavtion A' by pulsing relay 13, since this relay Will be deenergized twice vand energized o nce when the brush 112 is passing over segments 16, 17 and 18; Pulsing relay 13 is'not energized again until the brush 112 reaches segL lment 25. This segment is connected to batrelay 223`so that thelast set of impulses, namely 7, is transmitted tothe central station when the'bru'sh 112`passes over segments 25 to 31 inclusive thereb energizingv pulsing relay 13'four times and deenergizing relay 13 three times due to alternate segments being connected tothe negative side of battery' 74.

Fig. 4-shows diagrammatically the connection of the segments on the distributor to the group control relays associated 'with each -grgl'up of four switches at a single substation. te ays 23 and 22g-3 are the same as described in connection with Figs. 2 and 2A and relays 323, 423 and 523 correspond to these relays in other groups.- Relay 323 is shown having contacts associated with one of the armatures connected to the tenth and sixteenth segments in order to change the series of impulses for group No. 3 to 9-3-5. Relay 423 has its contacts Iconnected to segments 27 and 21 to change the series of impulses to 7-7-3 'and the contacts of relay 523'are connected to segments 14 and 8 to change the series to 5-4-7-5.

In like manner each of the distributors at the other substations may be arranged to send codes of impulses fdiffering from thel distributorat substation B simply by strapping other groups of segments on the distributors to produce the desired sets of impulses. The rotating arm 9 draws the brush 112 over the segments in a clockwise direction starting at segment land completing the cycle on the last segment. For convenience the segments have been numbered at spaced intervals to identify the segments in connection with the following'de'scription.

Assuming the motor is started, the shaft .111. rotates the`brush 112 attached to arm 9 over the irsttwo dead segments until it attains a uniform speed. On reaching the'third segment the first series of seven pulses are 'of distributor 8, brush 112, continuous ring 113, conductor 114, winding of pulsing relay 13, conductor 108 to battery 74. As pulsing relay 13 is energized it draws up4 its armature to closea circuit through its front lcontact and armature thereby energizing relay 5 37 over aclrcuit hereinbefore described.

When relay 37 is energized over this circuit it establishes a circuit for the operation of reversing relay 32. This operating circuit may be traced from battery 55, lconductors 56 and 64, .winding of relay 32, conductor 65, armature and frontcontact of operated relay 37 and conductor 60 to battery 55. Relay 32 in operating causes the polarity of battery 62 to be reversed through the front contacts and operated armatures of relayl 32, thereby sending a current impulse over con Lductors 125 and 126 to the winding 127 of selector 45 to advance the wheel 128. When the rotating brush 112 on the distributor arm i 9 leaves the third segment and engages the fourth segment no current will be sent over conductors 108 and 114 since this segment is open. Pulsing relay 13 willtherefore de- .energize which in turn Will cause relays 37 and 32 to b e d'eenergized. When relay 32 is deenergized a pulse of opposite polarity is transmitted to the winding of the selector 45 over conduptors 125 and 126', due to the changed position of the armatures of relay 32.` The wheel 128 ofselector 45 is therefore I advanced another lstep by this pulse of currelay 13 on each alternate segment of the distributor until the brush reaches the 10th segment. It Will be seen that the pulsing relay 13 has been energized four times and deenergized three times thereby causing seven pulses of current to be sent to' the winding of selector 45 from the main battery source 62 at control station A. This completes the first set of impulses transmitted to central station'A. This first set of impulses will step the wheel 128 of selector 45 to a position where it is held in its advanced position by the spring 130.y The engagement of the wheel 128 with the spring 130 closes a circuit for theoperation of relay 38 over a circuit from` battery 62, conductors 125 and 131, winding of relay 38, conductor 132, spring 130, wheel 128, conductors 133, 126 and 73 to battery. Relay 38 then prepares an energizing circuit for polarized relay 44 through conductors 134 and 138. Relay 38 in operating also causes relay 39 to operate through its righthand contact and armature and the normally closed contacts of switch y51. The energizing circuit for relay 39 may be traced from battery 55, conductor 60, right-hand armature and contact of relay 38, switch 51, Winding offrelay 39, conductor 56 to battery. Relay 39 is locked in its operating position by its closed contact and armature. When relay 39 locks up the alarm 50 starts ringing to inform= the attendant at the central station A that a switch has changed its position and anindication of such change is being transmitted to the central station.

A s the brush 112 leaves the ninth segment of the distributor and engages the 10th to 15th segments inclusive, the pulsing relay -13 is held energized by the continuous circuit provided by the strapping of these segments,

thereby preventing a changey in polarity of the central station battery 62. However, when thebrush 112 advances over the next live segments of the distributor 8 the pulsing relayr13 is alternately deenergized and energized, thereby setting up the circuit condiditions heretofore described, to again change the polarity of battery 62 to send five pulses of4 current to the winding of selector 45. These pulses of current stepythe code wheel 128 to its second advanced position where it is held by the sprin 130. Returning to the distributor 8 the furt er rotation of the brush 112 over the open'segments 21 to 26 inclusive causes ino current to be supplied to the pulsing relay 13, thereb preventing any change in the polarity of attery 62. However, when the brush engages segment 27 a complete circuit is again established to operate pulsing relay 13, thereby energizing relay 37 which in turn completes a circuit for operating reversing relay 33, to send a pulse of current to the windings of selector 45. On passing over the next four segments pulsing relay 13 is alternately deenergized twice and energized twice, to complete the last set of impulses in the order of 7-5-5 as heretofore described. The arm 129 on the code wheel 128 has now reached a position where it engage the contact 46 on the selector. The last pulse of current transmitted to olarized relay 44 determines the position o the pivoted armature associatedwith this relay. Due to a final negative pulse of current received from battery 62 the lower winding of relay 44 remains energized and the pivoted armature is drawn toward the lower pole face of the electromagnetL thereby shifting the armature to open the upper contacts and close the lower contacts. This operation extinguishes the green lamp 42 and lights the red lamp 43, to indicate that switch 17 is now in its closed position, and completes the answer-back signal from substation B to central station A.

The brush112 traveling over the segments from 31 to 38 inclusive continues to hold pulsing relay 13 energized since all of these segments are connected to negative battery, segments 31, 33, 35, 37 and 38 being strapped together and connected to the negative side of battery 74 over conductor 98, and the segments 32, 34 and 36 being connected to the negative side of battery 74 over their respective conductors 135, 136 and 137 and the contacts and armatures of control relays 14, 15 and 16. The brush 112 on leaving the 38th segment engages the dead segments 39, 40 and 41. On reaching the 41st segment an extension 139, of insulating material, attached to the end of the rotating arm 9 trips the spring of the closed contact 97, thereby causing control relay 23 to deenergize which in turn causes line relay .12 to open the motor circuit and stop the rotation of the arm 9 on the distributor 8. The deenergization of control relay 23 causes associate relay 22 to be returned to its inoperative position. Control relay 36 at central station will also be deenergized due to the release of relay 12 thereby causing control relay 34 to return to normal. The opening of the circuit throughl the right-hand armature and contact of relay 34 removes relay 37 from across line conductors 5 and 6. The attendant at central station A breaks the alarm circuit by operating the key 51 thereby deenergizing relay 39. This com-y apparatus at the central station and substai tion if another indication of a switch position is to be sent tothe central oice or a switch is changed in position by operating the impulse key at the central station.

The line relay 11 operates only when a substation beyond substation B issending in a set of code impulses in which case it opens line conductor l7'through the line relay 12 to prevent any code being sent in from substation B while relay 11 is operated. Relay 11 also ope'ns one side of the selector circuit :1t-substation B thus preventing `any of the selectors at substation B operating. `The control equipment of power switches 18, 19 and 20,at substationnB and the operation of a switch from central station A is similar to that described in connection with power switch 17 but in these cases the switches are olperated to their3 closed position by turning t eir respective impulse keys a, 406, and 40e which are connected inparallel with the key 40 for switch 17 to energize control relay 32 at central station Aandcause a series of impulses, differing from the code for power switch 17, to be sent over line conductors 5 and 6 to energize the winding of either selector 29 or 30, thereby advancing the step-bystep element to its respective contact to operate the auxiliary relays 26, 27 and 28 respectively. As described in connection with auxiliary relay 25 associated with power switch 17 these relays will energize the windings of switches 18, 19 and 20 and cause them to Isa change from their open position to a closed position. In a like manner the closing of the switches momentarily opens the battery circuit to their respective relays 21a, 216 and 21e, to cause the operation of group control relay 23 and also the associate relays 22a, 226

and 220 respectively. Thesesrelays will then determine the series of code impulses to be sent to the central oflice. The distributor 8' will again send the three major sets of impulses, namely 7-.5-5, and two, four or sixadditional pulses, to` cause selector at the central station to be advanced to contacts 47, `48l or 4 on theseleetor.' In e'ect, the series of impulses for switch 18 will be 7-5-7. for switch 19 it will be 7-5--9 and for switch 20 the series of impulseslwill be 7-5--11. The

control relay 38 at the central 'station which prepares the operating circuit for the polarized relays 44 to 44cinclusive is of the slow operating type, toL prevent the operation of polarized relay 44 when it is desired tov operatev polarized relay 44a. It will beseen, however, that when ypower switch 18 is operated to its closed position relay 22a in relay group No. 1 will cause control relay 14 to be energized over conductor 140 to disconnect battery 74 .;from the 32nd segment on the distributor throughconductor 135 and thev open contact and armature of operated relayV 14. This ,causes pulsing relay. 13 to be deeneragain formed for pulsing relay 13 to causev lan additional pulse to be sent tothe selector 45 whereupon the arm 129engages contact 47 to energize relay 44a, to extinguish the green lamp 42a. and light the red lamp 43a.

In a similar manner when the switch 19 operates, its associated relay 226 will operate relay 15 to causesegments 32 and 34 to be disconnected from battery 74 over conductors 135 and 136 through the open contact and armature of operated relay 15. The ,dis-

tributor 8 will then send the impulses, namely- 7-5-9 to operate selector 45 to contact 48 and thereby change the position of relay 446 to extinguish lamp 426 and light the red lamp 436. Power switch 20 in operating causes its associate relay 22e to energize the winding of line relay 16 over conductor 142 to disconnect the segments 32, 34 and 36 from ne tive battery 74 through the open contact d armature of operated relay 16. This cau es the arm 129 of selector 45 to be advanced to contact 49 and thereby operate polarized relay 440 and change the signal on the indicating panel of central station A by extinguishing the lamp 420 and lighting the red lamp 43e.

The foregoing description related to changing the position of the switches at substation B by operating the keys 40, 40a, 406 and 400 4to change the position of their respective switches 'to a closed position. Assuming the switches at substation B are all in the closed position, any or all may be changed to their open positions by voperating their respectlve (impulse keys'41, 41a, 416' or 410 and the answer-back signal will be automatically sent in to the lcentral station A in a manner similar to the'answer-back signal described in connection with the operation ofthe switches to ytheir closed positions. However, under this condititn the last pulse sent to the winding .of selector 45 will be positive, due to thepulsingI circuit associated with pulsing relay 13 being normally 'closed' through the armature and front contact of relayl3, conductor 143, the inner left-hand armature and inner left back contact of relays 22'to 220 inclusive and the closed lower contacts and springs of the switches. When selector 45 is operated to the contacts 46 to 49` inclusive the polarized relays 44 to 46c inclusive will shift their armatures to change the indication of the lamps from a closed .indication to an open indication.

Automaat @heating met Since the substation B and other substations connected to line conductors 5, 6 and 7 A. In accordance with thisinvention a single relay associated with each group of switches automatically checks the position of the switches in'sequence without operating the switch, and causes the true indication to be set up at the central station. This checking feature is carried out by the attendant at the central station turning checking impulse key 40d which causes control relay 35 to operate and energize line relay 33 and alternate. energization and de-energization of revers-` ing relay 32, to send a series of impulses over line conductors 5 and 6 to energize the winding 52 of selector 53 at substation B. This series of impulses will be different from the series of impulses which operated selectors 29 and 30 at substation B so that there will be no interference with these selectors. The selector 53 will cause its arm to engage contact 54 and thereby close a circuit forthe op.- eration of checkingy relay 24. This circuit may be traced from battery 74, .conductor 83,`

winding of checking relay 24, conductor 144, contact 54, arm and wheel ot selector 53, spring 145, conductors 146 and 75 to battery 74. Relay 24 will be momentarily energized to open the battery circuit to all of the 21 type relays in group No. 1. As these relays deenergize they form an energizing circuit for the winding of control relay 23 over conductor 95 and this relay locks up through its inner right front Contact and inner armature. Relay 23 then causes relay 22, for example, to be energized over a circuit from battery 74, conductor 75, armature and contact of deenergized relay 24, conductor 93, inner leit-y hand armature and contact of relay u21, conductor 103, rear winding of relay 22, righthand back contact and armature of relay 22, outer right-hand armatures and contacts of relays 22a, 225 and 220, outer right-handv contact and armature of operated relay 23, conductor 100, right-hand armature and front contact of operated relay 12, conductor 105 to battery. Relay 22 in energizing cuts ofi' battery to relays 22a. 226 and 220 over its right-hand armature. 0f course, any of the 22 type relays may operate first depending on the resistance of the windings of the relays. Tn any event when one of the 22 type relays operates it cuts ofi battery to the other 22 type relays as previously described and the particular series of impulses for the switch are transmitted to the central station to indicate the position of the switch. When lrelay 22 is energized it completes a circuit `lays deenergized upon the. momentary operation of checking relay 2A and since the first check is completed relay 21 is energized and rela A 22 is deenergized to allow the checking of til group. Now, since relay 21 is energized relay 22 cannot operate again due to the open condition of the inner lefthand armature of 'operated lrelay 21. Therefore relay 21a which remains deenergized may cause control relay 23 to operate over its outer lefthand armature and contact. The 21a rela also prepares a circuit for the. operation o relay ing. When the arm 9 reaches the spring and contact 97, the battery circuit for relays 23 and 22a is opened and these yrelays release. Relays 2lb and 210 are still in their deenergized condition to again cause the operation of group control'relay 23 which places battery on the chain circuit leadingl to 'relays 22?) and 220 respectively. These relays operate in turn the same as previously described in connection with 4relays 22 and22a to successively cause the individual .series of impulses to be sent to the central station as a check on the position of switches 19 and 20 respectively. lt will be seen that group control relay 23 determines the sequence of checking the position of the four switches in group No. 1. Line relay 12 will again be energized to disconnect line conductor 6 from the other substations on the line and also start the motor 10 to cause the arm 9 on the distributor to send the first set of impulses to the-central station. Since switch 17 is in an open position the last pulse transmitted to the winding of selector 45 at Central ,station A will be positive and when the armg129 reaches contact 46, polarized relay 44` will not be energized thereby indicating to the attendant that the indication given'at central e position of other switches in the .v

station A is correct for the switch 17 at substation B. The attendant will then operate key 51 to break down the operating circuit at the central station and the checking circuit for power switch 17 will break down when the cycle'of pulses has been sent by the distributor 8 through the openingof the contact'97. Control. relay 23 will be deenergized and also associated relay 22 whereupon relay 21 will remain in its normally operated posi- \\tion and relay 21a will cause control relay 23 to be again operated which inturn operates associate relay 22a. This relay in operating disconnects battery from relays 226 and 22o and prepares the pulsing circuit for sending the series of pulses for switch 18. This pro-' cedure Is carried through in sequence until all of the switches h ve causedcircuit conditions to be establishe tacts to send the required series to central lector to be operated to its respective contacts.- A similar checking operation can also be accomplished with the switches ingroup of impulses 5 No. 2 simply by operating an impulse key at the central station similar to key 40d to send a code of impulses over line conductors 5 and '6 to advance the arm of selector 53 at substation B to the second terminal. The check 0 control relay 224 in relay group No. 2 will be energized over conductor 162 to deenergize the 221 type relays. The position of each switch in switch group No. 2 will then be transmitted to the central station in sequence through the repeated operation of control relay 223 in the same manner as the positions of switches 17 to 2O inclusive in switch group Nod wereI transmitted.

While the controlling system has been described with respect to operating the power switches at a substation by means of the keys at the central station and receiving the answer-back signal at the central station signifying that theswitches have changed their positions, this is not the only way in which the controlling system of this invention may be operated. The conditions on the power linesv to which the switches 17 to 20 inclusive are connected often cause a switch to change `from aclosed position to an open position and this condition will be automatically indicated to the attendant at 'the central station in accordance with this invention. The circuit conditionsvset up when a switch changes position under thesev conditions are the same as the vanswer-back signal heretofore described and the sending-of the pulses to the Y central station causes the selector 45 to be advanced to a position to change the indicat-' ing lamps associated with the switch which has changed position, thereby indicating to the attendant at the central station that a designated ,switch has changed its position dueto some trouble -in the power line.

through their closed constation A and thereby cause se- Wlat is claimed is: t 1 I t f 1E n a signaing sys'em a puraly p groups of devices capable df assuming dlferent positions, a variable code impulse' veach device and operated by the device changing position for characterlzing the group code in a lmanner individual to the loperated device in the group and for disconnecting the other devices inthe group from the transmitter.

2. In a signaling system, a central station, a plurality of remote stations connected to said central station over a common line, a

plurality of selectors connected to said line at each of said-remote stations, means at said central station for operating sald selectors,

means at said remote station operative forv sending answer-back signals oversaid common line, and a relay at each of said remote stations, said relay being selectively operated prior to a remote station sending answer-back signals to said central station, to disconnect said selectors at other remote stations from said central station and disconnect the selectors at the answering re'mote station ,from said central station.

3. In a 'signaling system, a central station, a plurality of remote stations connected to said central-station over a common line, a group of switches at each of said remote stations, code responsive means energized from said central station connected to saidI line at each of said remote stations for operating said switches, signal receiving means at the central station, a transmitter at each remote station to send answer-back 'code signals over the common line to the central-station to operate said signal receiving means to indicate the positions of the switches at the remote station,4 and means at each remote station automatically operative through a-chain circuit when a switch at said remote station changes position to disconnect all of said code responsive means atthe remote stations from said central station until the answerback signals have been sent to said central station.

4. In a signaling system, a central station, a plurality of remote stations connected to Said central station over a common line, a group of switches at each of said remote stations', code responsive means energized from. 'said central station connected to said line at each of said remote stations for operating said switches, signal receiving means at the central station, a transmitter at each remote lio station to send answer-back code signals over the common line to the central station to operate said signal receiving means to indicate the positions of the switches at the re'- mote station, and means at each remote station individually operative through a switch changing position at said remote station to disconnect said code responsive means at the remote stations from said central station until answer-back signals from a remote staj tion have been sent to said central station.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my,.name this'21 day of December, A. D.

JosnPH c. FELD. 

